Jefferson High School's College Writing course is reading Larry Watson's Montana 1948 and looking at how institutional racism affects the characters' lives. This blog is an attempt for students in College Writing to take on the roles of characters in the novel as well as people involved in a current issue. Through role-play we hope to discover if the UND's mascot is honoring or, as some people believe, marginalizing the native people of the Dakotas.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Doris Strickland

EVERYBODY! What is the big fuss surrounding this whole mascot debate? Oh, by the way my name is Doris Strickland, wife of Ollie Young Bear, and a proud mother of two. I'm a white female and being married to a Native American has brought me close to the culture, even though he did not come from the reservation. I see the pride that comes along with their heritage, and I think it's fantastic for a college to bring history into belonging to UND. Being named the Fighting Sioux gives such a meaningful sense of pride and power to the Sioux tribes. I couldn't imagine trying to change history, which is what the university would be doing if they changed the name of it's mascot!

14 comments:

Doris! Same name!? I agree with your viewpoint 100%. I am honored to be represented by a state university. I think it's important for the kids to learn about our history and ancestory. -Doris Looks Away

Hello Doris Stickland, I personally disagree with you but I think that you make a good point in how a school is trying to respect the heritage of my people. The administration is being respectful but it is some of the students that are being mean and disrespectful. Thankyou for your time. Have a great day. -Jon Ekohak

Doris, I'm glad that you could overcome the racism and prejudice of our world. I think it's great that you are married to Ollie and I respect you for how close you have come to our culture. However, I wouldn't consider college students trying to dress up like our people and doing offensive chants, the "pride" and "power" you are speaking of. I would instead call it humiliation and degradation.-Ronnie Tall Bear

Doris, just because the school is named after the Sioux tribes doesnt mean it brings back pride and history to the tribes. If you asked, "What are/is the fighting Sioux" to a 10 to 15 year old college hockey fan I guarentee that they will answer. "The fighting Siox is the mascot of North Dakota." What they should say is that the Sioux (leave of the fighting) "are a native American tribe located in the upper midwest." But because of the use of the mascot you will never get that answer in return.

DorisI couldn't agree more with your on your view everyone is making such a big deal for a name, a name that I am proud of as a Native American. I don't see why anyone white black native would ever want to change such a historic name.

Cut the malarky Doris, i know behind it all you don't give a hoot about the native american ways. Stand up for your own culture and quit preaching for the native american culture. If they were called the hollerin honkeys as their mascot you wouldn't be saying anything, so put your mind in the right place and stay white.

Dor, I love your sensable point of view on this issue. It is good to see that someone besides me sees the madness in all this controversy. Like, you said, who wants to change histroy? I sure don't, and I'm sure a majority of other American's would agree with us on that. Glad your on my side, and if Ollie ever leaves, give me a call.

Doris Strickland-I'm glad you support the Fighting Sioux. I think it is a very positive way to represent the culture. Everyone on campus is respectful of the name and nobody is trying to disrespect our own school mascot! If someone didn't like the mascot they would go to a different school and then make fun of it. It's other schools that people should be looking at to see if there is ridicule surrounding the name, but not our own. We all love and support the name. You should come to a hockey game sometime. They are awesome.-UND hockey fan

Hello my dear, Thank you for showing your support! I just can't believe some of the idiots on here that are blowing this whole thing up. It's ridiculous, and they are giving my people a bad name. This is all so stressful. I hope you will cook my favorite dinner tonight, see you soon love!Yours truly, Ollie Young Bear